The Union HRD Minister Romesh Pokhriyal Nishank said that a committee formed which will hold discussions with DG National Testing Agency (NTA) and other authorities to come up with the resolution of conducting the exams in this pandemic. The discussion will assess the safety aspects in conducting the exams and they shall reflect as on when to hold the NEET/ JEE examinations. The final decision will be made soon with the report they will submit tomorrow.
Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal tweeted that,
“Looking at the prevailing circumstances & requests received from students & parents appearing for #JEE & #NEET examinations, a committee consisting of @DG_NTA & other experts has been advised to review the situation & submit its recommendations to @HRDMinistry latest by tomorrow.”
— Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank)
The Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said that “I have been continuously receiving requests and representations from students taking the JEE and NEET examinations through social media, emails, and various platforms of the HRD Ministry, that considering the present circumstances the examinations should be postponed a little. On the basis of these requests, I had asked DG NTA and his team to look into the matter and take in to account all factors of the situation and report back to me tomorrow latest. Our priority is the safety of the students who will be taking the examinations. The Committee will recommend how and when the exams can take place.”
Previously the Ministry delayed all the competitive exams due to coronavirus pandemic. Formerly, the JEE Main was scheduled to be held between April 7 and April 11, and NEET on May 3.
The ministry delayed the dates due to the Covid-19 pandemic as the people are held in the lockdown. Approximately 9 lakh students registered for JEE (Main) and 16 lakh students registered for NEET.
If the situation remains same, then the committee might postpone the exams and the commencement of classes further. Presently the University Grants Commission (UGC) issued the new academic calendar to kickstart from 1st week of September.
The students and parents across the country are demanding to postpone the exams due to coronavirus pandemic. Recently the Telangana government postponed all CETs in the state.